Network repository function registration

Abstract

There is provided a network apparatus, caused to: maintain a registration of at least one Network Repository Function (NRF) with respective associated information for selecting the at least one NRF; and, in response to a request for NRF information from a requesting network entity, provide the associated information to the requesting network entity.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A network apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:   maintain a registration of at least one Network Repository Function (NRF) with respective associated information for selecting the at least one NRF; and   provide, in response to a request for NRF information from a requesting network entity, the associated information to the requesting network entity.   
     
     
         23 . A network apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory including the computer program code are further configured to cause the apparatus to: receive a registration request from the at least one NRF, the registration request comprising the associated information. 
     
     
         24 . A network apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the request for NRF information is a Discovery request, and wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory including the computer program code are further configured to cause the apparatus to: select a subset of the total associated information maintained at the network apparatus and provide the subset of the total associated information in said response. 
     
     
         25 . A network apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said request for NRF information is a subscription request, and wherein said response is sent when there is change in said registration of the at least one NRF. 
     
     
         26 . A network apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the network apparatus is comprised within an NRF. 
     
     
         27 . A network apparatus as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory including the computer program code are further configured to cause the apparatus to: provide the associated information to other NRFs. 
     
     
         28 . A network apparatus for a Network Repository Function (NRF), comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: transmit a registration request to a registering network entity, wherein the registration request comprises associated information for selecting the NRF.   
     
     
         29 . A network apparatus as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory including the computer program code are further configured to cause the apparatus to:
 transmit a discovery request to the registering network entity for selection information for selecting at least one other NRF; and   receive said selection information in response to the discovery request.   
     
     
         30 . A network apparatus as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory including the computer program code are further configured to cause the apparatus to:
 transmit a subscription request to the registering network entity for subscribing to being notified when selection information for selecting at least one other NRF changes at the registering network entity; and   receive a notification that said selection information has changed in response to the subscription request.   
     
     
         31 . A network apparatus as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein network apparatus forms an NRF group with at least one other NRF apparatus, and wherein the at least one processor and the at least one memory including the computer program code are further configured to cause the apparatus to:
 receive selection information for selecting said at least one other NRF;   determine that said at least one other NRF is part of the same NRF group; and   exchange information about network function instances served by the at least one other NRF and the network apparatus in response to said determining.   
     
     
         32 . A network apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:   transmit a request to a registering network entity for selection information for selecting at least one Network Repository Function (NRF); and   receive said selection information in response to the request.   
     
     
         33 . A network apparatus as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the request is a discovery request. 
     
     
         34 . A network apparatus as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the associated information for a particular NRF describes the attributes of at least one network function that said particular NRF is intended to serve. 
     
     
         35 . A network apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the associated information comprises at least one of: an indication of a location of an entity to which a service is to be provided, an indication of a serving area, an indication of at least one type of network function for which discovery queries are supported by the NRF associated with the associated information, an identification of at least one network slice served the NRF associated with the associated information, and/or an identification of at least Public Land Mobile Network supported by the NRF associated with the associated information, an identification of at least one Fully Qualified Domain Name that may be served by the NRF associated with the associated information. 
     
     
         36 . A network apparatus as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the associated information comprises an identity of an NRF group that is served by the NRF associated with the associated information. 
     
     
         37 . A network apparatus as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the associated information comprises an identity of an NRF group that is served by the NRF associated with the associated information.